Mixing valve for fluid dispensing nozzle

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispensing nozzle has two pressurized fluids supplied thereto through two separate passages extending through a member, which is supported in a passage in the nozzle body whereby the pressureized fluids mix within the body passage. The supported member has a valve supported at its end having the outlets of the passages with the valve having a separate portion controlling each of the passages. When there is flow through only one of the passages in the supported member, the portion of the valve cooperating therewith is moved to an open position by the fluid flow and the fluid pressure exerts a pressure on the portion of the valve cooperating with other passage to seal close said valve portion to insure that there is no leakage from the body passage into the passage in the member not having pressurized fluid supplied thereto.

United States Patent [191 Moore et al.

[ June 19, 1973 [75] Inventors: Glenn E. Moore; Robert W. Guertin,

both of Cincinnati, Ohio [73] Assignee: Dover Corporation, New York,N.Y.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 143,825

[52] [1.8. CI 222/129, l37/5l2.4, 239/600 [5]] Int. Cl 867d 5/04 [58]Field of Search 129,145; l37/5l2.l5, 512.4; 239/4l6.4, 600

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerThomas E. KocovskyAtt0rney-Kinney and Schenk [57] ABSTRACT A fluid dispensing nozzle hastwo pressurized fluids supplied thereto through two separate passagesextending through a member, which is supported in a passage in thenozzle body whereby the pressureized fluids mix within the body passage.The supported member has a valve supported at its end having the outletsof the passages with the valve having a separate portion controllingeach of the passages. When there is flow through only one of thepassages in the supported member, the portion of the valve cooperatingtherewith is moved to an open position by the fluid flow and the fluidpressure exerts a pressure on the portion of the valve cooperating withother passage to seal close said valve portion 7 Claims, 6 Drawing;Figures I f I PAIENIED Jun: 9191a sumxnrz I'll,

INVENTORS ROBERT W. GUERTIN GLENN E. MOORE ATTORNEYS PMENTEDJUN x 91913SHEET 2 0f 2' FIG. 5

FIG. 6

E W m" 117 TORI/HS MIXING VALVE FOR FLUID DISPENSING NOZZLE The blendingor mixing of two different fluids such as gasoline and oil or gasolineshaving different octanes, for example, has previously been suggested.However, the mixing of the two fluids has been accomplished in such amanner that portions of one fluid can remain in an area in which it willbe utilized when the other fluid is to be supplied.

The need now has arisen for gasolines to be available in which there isno lead as well as gasolines having lead. This is because the engines ofmany older automobiles require some lead in their gasolines while newermodel automobiles have had their engines designed so that there is nolead required or desired. Further, catolytic converters to control airpollution require fuel which does not contain lead.

Accordingly, to enable service stations to be able to economically sellgasoline having lead of different amounts and gasoline not having lead,one way to accomplish this would be to dispense all gasolines from asingle nozzle with two different types of gasolines being mixed orblended with one being non-leaded gasoline when leaded gasoline isrequired and to supply only the non-leaded gasoline when such isrequired. However, to accomplish this, it is necessary that there can beno contamination by the leaded gasoline when only nonleaded gasoline isto be supplied.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problem byproviding a mixing arrangement in which there is no communicationbetween the passage supplying leaded gasoline and the passage supplyingthe non-leaded gasoline when only one of the passages is supplyinggasoline. Accordingly, there will be no significant contamination of thenon-leaded gasoline in a fluid dispensing nozzle using the mixingarrangement of the present invention.

In addition to preventing communication between the passages supplyingthe two types of gasoline when only one of the passages is supplyinggasoline, the present invention also reduces the amount of gasolineremaining in a dispensing nozzle after flow is stopped. That is, in theprior devices for mixing gasolines for use with a dispensing nozzle,mixing occurred exterior of the inlet to the nozzle whereby some mixedgasoline re mained in the nozzle body when flow was stopped.Furthermore, the nozzle body or housing had a significant volume withinwhich gasoline remained when flow was stopped.

In the present invention, there is only a small portion of the entirevolume within the nozzle body or housing in which gasoline remains whenflow is stopped. While the remaining gasoline does flow through theoutlet spout of the nozzle when flow starts, the volume is so small thatit does not significantly affect the engine of the vehicle having thegasoline supplied thereto.

Accordingly, by reducing the volume in the nozzle body between theoutlets of the passages supplying the two types of gasoline and thevalves controlling the flow of the mixed gasoline through the dispensingnozzle, the present invention prevents any significant contaminationeven when a small quantity of gasoline is purchased. In the priordevices for mixing two types of gasolines, the volume between theoutlets of the passages supplying the gasolines and the positions of thecontrol valves would result in the remaining gasoline significantlycontaminating the new gasoline if only a small quantity of gasoline werepurchased.

An object of this invention is to provide a fluid dis pensing nozzle inwhich mixing or blending of different fluids occurs.

Another object of this invention is to provide an insert for a fluiddispensing nozzle to enable blending or mixing of different fluidswithin the nozzle.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upona reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to thedrawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fluid dispensing nozzle having theinsert of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the: insert of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the insert of FIG. 2 at the outletend thereof.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the inlet end of the insert of FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the insert of FIG. 2 and taken along line5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the insert of FIG. 2 taken along line 6--6of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown anautomatic fluid dispensing nozzle 10 comprising a housing or body 11.The housing or body 11 has an inlet passage 12 within which an insert 14is disposed.

The insert 14 has its outlet end positioned within the passage 12 of thebody or housing 11 while its inlet end is disposed exterior thereof. Theinsert 14 comprises a member 15 having threads 16 on its exteriorsurface adjacent the central portion of its length for cooperation withthreads 17, which are formed on the inner surface of the wall of thepassage 12 at the end thereof. Accordingly, the member 15 is releasablysecured to the nozzle 10.

The member 15, which is preferably a casting of alu minum or zinc, hasits inlet end 18 enlarged with respect to the remainder thereof, Theinlet end 18 is formed with an enlarged recess 19 of circular crosssection to receive one end of a hose 20. The hose 20 is threaded on itsoutlet end for cooperation with threads 21 on the inner wall of theenlarged inlet end 18 forming the recess 19. Accordingly, the hose 20 isreleasably secured to the member 15.

The recess 19 communicates with a longitudinal pas sage 22 ofsemicircular cross section in the member 15 through an arcuate chamber23 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). Accordingly, a pressurized fluid may be suppliedfrom a pump (not shown) through the hose 20, the recess 19, and thearcuate chamber 23 to thepassage 22.

The communication between the outlet end of the passage 22 and thepassage 12 in the nozzle housing or body 11 is controlled by a valve 24,which is supported by the member 15. The valve 24 includes a centralportion 25 with an outer portion 26 of semicircular shape on one side ofthe central portion 25 and an outer portion 27 of semicircular shape onthe other side'of the central portion 25. The valve 24 is secured to themem' ber 15 by screws 28, which attach the central portion 25 to the endof a wall 29 of the member 15; the wall 29 separates the passage 22 inthe member 15 from a longitudinal passage 30 of semicircular crosssection.

The central portion 25 of the valve 24 is substantially thinner than theouter portions 26 and 27. The outer portion 26 and an adjacent portionof the central portion 25 cooperate to prevent communication between thepassage 22 and the passage 12 unless pressurized fluid is flowingthrough the passage 22. Similarly, the outer portion 27 and an adjacentportion of the central portion 25 cooperate to prevent communicationbetween the passage 30 and the passage 12 unless pressurized fluid isflowing through the passage 30.

By forming the valve 24 of a suitable resilient material and making thecentral portion 25 relatively thin in comparison with the thickness ofeach of the outer portions 26 and 27, there is a hinging effect so thatthe outer portion 26 and 27 can be urged open when pressurized fluid isflowing through their respective passages. One suitable example of thematerial of the valve 24 is low swell Buna-N rubber.

Thus, when pressurized fluid flows only through the passage 22, it hassufficient pressure to urge the valve 24 open and the fluid pressureagainst the outer portion 27 of the valve 24 aids in holding the outerportion 27 closed to prevent communication between the passages 12 and30. In a similar manner, when pressurized fluid flows only through thepassage 30, it has sufficient pressure to urge open valve 24 and thefluid pressure against the outer portion 26 of the valve 24 aids inholding the outer portion 26 closed to prevent communication between thepassages 12 and 22.

The longitudinal passage 30 changes from a semicircular cross section atits outlet, which is controlled by the valve 24, to a circular crosssection at its inlet to which a tube 31 having a passage of circularcross section is releasably connected. The tube 31 is threaded at oneend for cooperation with threads in the passage in an annular support32, which receives the tube 31.

The tube 31 extends beyond the enlarged end 18 of the member 15. A hose33 is releasably connected to the tube 31 by being clamped thereto.

The hose 33 is connected to a source of a fluid, which is different fromthe fluid supplied through the hose 20. The fluid is supplied underpressure by a pump (not shown) through the hose 33, the tube 31, and thepassage 30 to the passage 12.

With this arrangement, leaded gasoline could be supplied through thehose 33 and non-leaded gasoline supplied through the hose 20, forexample. This would enable separate flow of the non-leaded gasoline tothe nozzle without contamination by the leaded gasoline. Of course, thehoses and 33 could be connected to gasolines of different octanes, forexample, rather than to a leaded gasoline and a non-leaded gasoline.

The flow of gasoline from the passage 12 to an outlet spout 34 of thenozzle 10 can occur only when a pivotally mounted lever or handle 35 ismoved upwardly to lift a poppet valve 36 to an open position. When thisoccurs, the pressure of the gasoline moves a resiliently biased bleederpoppet valve 37 downwardly whereby the gasoline flows from the passage12 to the outlet spout 34.

When the lever 35 is released, the poppet valve 36 is returned to itsclosed position to stop flow through the passage 12 to the outlet spout34. Furthermore, if the vehicle tank, which is being filled, reaches acertain level at which it is substantially filled, the poppet valve 36is automatically returned to its closed position since the lever has theposition of its pivotal connection moved in a manner such as that shownand described in US. Pat. No. 2,582,195 to Duerr.

When the pivotal position of the lever 35 is changedin automaticshut-off or the lever 35 is released, the force of a compression spring38, which is acting against the poppet valve 36, returns the poppetvalve 36 to its closed position to stop flow through the nozzle body 11.The spring 38 has one end acting against the top of the poppet valve 36and its other end engaging a flange 39 of a plug 40. A cap 41, which isthreadedly connected to the nozzle body or housing 11, holds the plug 40in the desired position in cooperation with the spring 38.

The plug 40 reduces the amount of fluid that is retained between theoutlet end of the member 15 and the poppet valve 36 by filling part ofthe space between the valve 24 and the poppet valve 36. While it isdesired for the plug 40 to be as long as possible so as to reduce thevolume of fluid retained between the valve 24 and the poppet valve 36when flow stops, the length of the plug 40 is determined by the amountof upward movement required by the poppet valve 36 to allow full flowthrough the passage 12 to the outlet spout 34. Thus, the plug 40 mustnot extend down so as to retard the upward movement of the poppet valve36 by the lever 35 lifting a stem 42, which is secured to the poppetvalve 36.

When the poppet valve 36 closes to stop flow, the bleeder poppet valve37 also closes. This may result in a minute quantity of gasoline beingtrapped between the poppet valve 36 and the bleeder poppet valve 37.However, all fluid in the nozzle housing or body between the bleederpoppet valve 37 and the outlet of the spout 34 is drained from thenozzle body or housing 11 through the spout 34.

Therefore, the total quantity of gasoline remaining in the nozzle bodyor housing 11 to contaminate gasoline later supplied is very small.Thus, the plug 40 and the position of the insert 14 cooperate tosignificantly reduce the volume of gasoline remaining between the valve24 and the poppet valve 36. This quantity plus any minute quantitybetween the valves 36 and 37 is significantly smaller than would occurwhere mixing occurs prior to the entrance of the inlet passage 12 as inthe prior nozzles having mixing arrangements. Likewise, the priornozzles, which had mixing arrangements, did not reduce the volume priorto the poppet valve 36 as the plug 40 does.

Furthermore, some of the prior nozzles had the bleeder poppet valve 37located downstream and adjacent to the connection of the spout 34 to thenozzle body or housing 11. Thus, the prior nozzles had a much largervolume of gasoline remaining within the nozzle body when flow wasstopped. This amount of remaining gasoline could significantlycontaminate the next sup ply of gasoline when it was different than thatpreviously supplied, particularly where the new quantity was small.

The position of the insert 14 with respect to the poppet valve 36 issuch that either of the outer portions 26 and 27 of the valve 24 may bemoved to engage the other when fluid is flowing through the passage withwhich the outer portion cooperates. The passage 12 has a larger diameterthan the valve 24 to insure that either of the outer portions 26 and 27of the valve 24 may hingedly move about the thin central portion 25.

Considering the operation of the present invention with gasoline pumpedonly through the hose 20, there is flow through only the passage 22whereby the outer portion26 of the valve 24 moves to allow communicationof the passage 22 with the passage 12. The pressure of the gasoline inthe passage 22 moves the outer portion 26 to an open position whilevalve 27 remains closed since there is no gasoline flowing through the.passage 30.

When the lever 35 is raised upwardly, the poppet valve 36 is opened, andgasoline flows through the passage 12 to the outlet spout 34 by movingthe bleeder poppet valve 37 to its open position. Flow can be eitherautomatically stopped when the tank becomes filled or by releasing thelever 35.

Similarly, if gasoline is flowing only through the hose 33, then onlythe passage 30 communicates with the passage 12. The pressure of thegasoline in the passage 30 moves the outer portion 27 of the valve 24open.

If gasoline is supplied through both of the hoses and 32 simultaneously,then there is communication of each of the passages 22 and 30 with thepassage 12 whereby there is mixing of the two gasolines in the passage12. When this occurs, the outer portions 26 and 27 abut against eachother in substantially the plane of the dividing wall 29.

Accordingly, there can be flow through either the passage 22 or 30 orthrough both of the passages 22 and 30 simultaneously. When there isflow through only one of the passages 22 and 30, there is nocontamination of the other of the passages 22 and 30 because of thevalve 24.

An advantage of this invention is that it prevents contamination of onefluid by a different fluid when each can be supplied to a common chamberat a different time. Another advantage of this invention is that itprovides positive sealing of one passage when a second passage has apressurized fluid supplied thereto and both of the passages communicatewith the same chamber.

For purposes of examplification, a particular embodiment of theinvention has been shown and described according to the best presentunderstanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes andmodifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereofmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1 claim:

1. An insert for use with a fluid dispensing nozzle to enable the nozzleto dispense two different fluids separately or together therefromincluding a member having a first passage extending therethrough withone end of said first passage adapted to receive a first pressurizedfluid and its other end adapted to direct the first pressurized fluid toa passage in the nozzle, a second passage extending therethrough withone end of said second passage adapted to receive a second pressurizedfluid and its other end adapted to direct the second pressurized fluidto the passage in the nozzle, and a single valve member supported bysaid member at its outlet end to prevent communication between saidfirst passage and the nozzle passage unless the first pressurized fluidis flowing therethrough and between said second passage and the nozzlepassage unless the second pressurized fluid is flowing therethrough.

2. The insert according to claim 1 in which said single valve memberincludes a first portion cooperating with the outlet of said firstpassage, a second portion cooperating with the outlet of said secondpassage, said first portion being movable by the flow of the firstpressurized fluid through said first passage to aid said second portionin preventing communication between said second passage and the nozzlepassage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only saidfirstpassage, and said second portion being movable by the flow of the second pressurized fluid through said second passage to aid said firstportion in preventing communication be tween said first passage and thenozzle passage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only saidsecond passage.

, 3. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said single valve has acentral portion, a first outer portion adjacent one side of said centralportion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side of saidcentral portion; said central portion being relatively thin incomparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outerportions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of saidcentral portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage toprevent communication between said first passage and the nozzle passagein the absence of the first pressurized fluid; said second outer portionand an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with theoutlet of said second passage to prevent communication between saidsecond passage and the nozzle passage in the absence of the secondpressurized fluid; said first outer portion being actuated to providecommunication between said first passage and said nozzle passage whenthere is flow only through said first passage, said flow aiding saidsecond outer portion in preventing communication between said secondpassage and said nozzle passage and said second outer portion beingactuated to provide communication between said second passage and saidnozzle passage when there is flow only through said second passage saidflow aiding said first outer portion in preventing communication betweensaid first passage and said nozzle passage.

4. A fluid dispensing nozzle including a body having a passage therein,valve means to control flow through said passage, an insert membermounted in said body passage, said member having first and secondpassages extending therethrough, each of said passages being connectedwith a separate source of pressurized fluid, and a single valve securedto the outlet end of said insert member to engage the outlet ends ofsaid first and second member passages, said valve preventing flow fromone of said first and second passages to the other through said bodypassage when only one member pas sage has pressurized fluid flowingtherethrough to said body passage.

5. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has afirst portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage toprevent communication between said first passage and said body passagein the absence of the first pressurizedfluid in said first passage and asecond portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage toprevent communication between said second passage and said body passagein the absence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage.

6. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has acentral portion, a first outer portion ad jacent one side of saidcentral portion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side ofsaid central portion; said central portion being relatively thin incomparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outerportions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of saidcentral portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage toprevent communication between said first passage and said body passagein the absence of the first pressurized fluid in said first passage;said second outer portion and an adjacent portion of said centralportion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to preventcommunication between said second passage and said body passage in theabsence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage; saidfirst outer portion being actuated to provide communication between saidfirst passage and said body passage when there is first pressurizedfluid only through said first passagefsaid fluid pressure causing saidsecond outer portion to seal and prevent communication between said bodypassage and said second passage and said second outer portion beingactuated to provide communication between said second passage and saidbody passage when there is second pressurized fluid only through saidsecond passage, said fluid pressure causing said first outer portion tosea] and prevent communication between said body passage and said firstpassage.

7. The nozzle according to claim 1 including a passage volume reducingplug disposed in said body passage between said member and said valvemeans wherein the volume in said body passage in which fluid remainswhen fluid flow stops is reduced by the volume of said passage volumereducing plug.

1. An insert for use with a fluid dispensing nozzle to enable the nozzleto dispense two different fluids separately or together therefromincluding a member having a first passage extending therethrough withone end of said first passage adapted to receive a first pressurizedfluid and its other end adapted to direct the first pressurized fluid toa passage in the nozzle, a second passage extending therethrough withone end of said second passage adapted to receive a second pressurizedfluid and its other end adapted to direct the second pressurized fluidto the passage in the nozzle, and a single valve member supported bysaid member at its outlet end to prevent communication between saidfirst passage and the nozzle passage unless the first pressurized fluidis flowing therethrough and between said second passage and the nozzlepassage unless the second pressurized fluid is flowing therethrough. 2.The insert according to claim 1 in which said single valve memberincludes a first portion cooperating with the outlet of said firstpassage, a second portion cooperating with the outlet of said secondpassage, said first portion being movable by the flow of the firstpressurized fluid through said first passage to aid said second portionin preventing communication between said second passage and the nozzlepassage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only said firstpassage, and said second portion being movable by the flow of the secondpressurized fluid through said second passage to aid said first portionin preventing communication between said first passage and the nozzlepassage when pressurized fluid is flowing through only said secondpassage.
 3. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which said single valvehas a central portion, a first outer portion adjacent one side of saidcentral portion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side ofsaid central portion; said central portion being relatively thin incomparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outerportions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of saidcentral portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage toprevent communication between said first passage and the nozzle passagein the absence of the first pressurized fluid; said second outer portionand an adjacent portion of said central portion cooperating with theoutlet of said second passage to prevent communication between saidsecond passage and the nozzle passage in the absence of the secondpressurized fluid; said first outer portion being actuated to providecommunication between said first passage and said nozzle passage whenthere is flow only through said first passage, said flow aiding saidsecond outer portion in preventing communication between said secondpassage and said nozzle passage and said second outer portion beingactuated to provide communication between said seconD passage and saidnozzle passage when there is flow only through said second passage saidflow aiding said first outer portion in preventing communication betweensaid first passage and said nozzle passage.
 4. A fluid dispensing nozzleincluding a body having a passage therein, valve means to control flowthrough said passage, an insert member mounted in said body passage,said member having first and second passages extending therethrough,each of said passages being connected with a separate source ofpressurized fluid, and a single valve secured to the outlet end of saidinsert member to engage the outlet ends of said first and second memberpassages, said valve preventing flow from one of said first and secondpassages to the other through said body passage when only one memberpassage has pressurized fluid flowing therethrough to said body passage.5. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has afirst portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage toprevent communication between said first passage and said body passagein the absence of the first pressurized fluid in said first passage anda second portion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage toprevent communication between said second passage and said body passagein the absence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage.6. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said single valve has acentral portion, a first outer portion adjacent one side of said centralportion, and a second outer portion adjacent the other side of saidcentral portion; said central portion being relatively thin incomparison with the thickness of each of said first and second outerportions; said first outer portion and an adjacent portion of saidcentral portion cooperating with the outlet of said first passage toprevent communication between said first passage and said body passagein the absence of the first pressurized fluid in said first passage;said second outer portion and an adjacent portion of said centralportion cooperating with the outlet of said second passage to preventcommunication between said second passage and said body passage in theabsence of the second pressurized fluid in said second passage; saidfirst outer portion being actuated to provide communication between saidfirst passage and said body passage when there is first pressurizedfluid only through said first passage, said fluid pressure causing saidsecond outer portion to seal and prevent communication between said bodypassage and said second passage and said second outer portion beingactuated to provide communication between said second passage and saidbody passage when there is second pressurized fluid only through saidsecond passage, said fluid pressure causing said first outer portion toseal and prevent communication between said body passage and said firstpassage.
 7. The nozzle according to claim 1 including a passage volumereducing plug disposed in said body passage between said member and saidvalve means wherein the volume in said body passage in which fluidremains when fluid flow stops is reduced by the volume of said passagevolume reducing plug.